Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, January 6, 2014
(UNDATED) - The incoming snow and arctic blast of temperatures will leave Midwestern homes and buildings decorated with icicles. And while they may be pretty, they can be dangerous to you and your property.
An expert with Tomorrow's Home Solutions say small icicles on the home are normal, but large icicles and ice dams can be a sign of energy loss, or heat loss, in the house.
This usually happens through the attic, which then heats the roof and melts the snow, in turn creating the icicles.
There are a few ways heat can escape the home. Making sure your attic is well insulated and air sealed, and installing a radiant barrier are ways to keep the heat from escaping.
Experts say if you have icicles, don't knock them off yourself. It's hard to control where they fall and they may damage your home or knock off the entire gutter system.
Instead, throw calcium chloride near that area and let the frozen water melt, or call in a professional.
Sometimes the icicles become so heavy they will fall on their own and take down the gutters with it, so it's best to tackle the issue before it becomes and even bigger problem.
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